Patrick Vieira hopeful Crystal Palace squad will gain new additions after Butland departure and with Ebiowei set for loan move

Patrick Vieira hopes that Jack Butland’s switch to Manchester United and the possibility of Malcolm Ebiowei leaving on loan will see his Crystal Palace squad bolstered by new additions.

Butland, 29, completed his six-month loan deal to United for the second half of the season today.

The goalkeeper was below Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone in the pecking order at Palace, with the deal to take Butland to United on the cards in the summer before he broke his hand in a pre-season friendly against the Red Devils.

“We will see,” said Vieira when asked whether Butland’s departure freed up any money for the January transfer budget.

“But if Malcolm goes on loan, and with Jack leaving for United, that means hopefully some people come in. 

Ebiowei has been linked to several clubs in the Championship and League One, with the likes of QPR, Hull, Derby and Ipswich all keen on taking the 19-year-old for the second half of the season.

Bermondsey-raised Ebiowei has been on the bench in every Premier League game this season, featuring a total of 31 minutes since signing from Derby in the summer.

“We have to have cover – it can be someone from the U21s,” admitted Vieira of whether a replacement should be signed before Ebiowei is allowed to depart Selhurst Park.

“John-Kymani Gordon has been training with us and doing well and is ready to go as well – he just needs an opportunity. I’m really pleased with the quality he showed in training.

“If Malcolm goes on loan, we have an opportunity to bring somebody in or promote someone from the academy.”